Defending the Public Option - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/08/20/SF_Mayor_Gavin_Newsoms_Health_Care_Press_Conference

San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom reflects on the success of the Healthy San Francisco program. He holds it up as an example of a successful healthcare reform plan. "Healthcare reform without a public option is not reform," he says.

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National AFL-CIO President John Sweeney joins Mayor Gavin Newsom and local and state labor leaders at City Hall. Leaders tout the success of the Healthy San Francisco program as an example of the benefits of a strong public health care option could provide nationally.

Gavin Christopher Newsom is the current mayor of San Francisco. A Democrat, Newsom was elected mayor in 2003, succeeding Willie Brown and becoming San Francisco's youngest mayor in 100 years.

As Mayor, Newsom has focused on development projects in Hunters Point and Treasure Island. He signed the Health Choices Plan in 2007 to provide San Francisco residents with universal healthcare. Under Newsom, San Francisco joined the Kyoto Protocol.

In 2004, Newsom gained national attention when he directed the San Francisco city-county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. In August 2004, the Supreme Court of California annulled the marriages that Newsom had authorized, as they conflicted with state law at that time. Still, Newsom's unexpected move brought national attention to the issues of gay marriage and gay rights, solidifying political support for Newsom in San Francisco and in the gay community, and causing several other states to change their laws concerning marriage and gay rights.

Newsom has officially announced his candidacy for governor of California in the 2010 election.

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[VAR1UM]

im not gay or anything but... this Mayor Gavin sure is dreamy!

But on the flip side, he might be the "Patrick Bateman" type...

[3star2nr]

now im not gay or anything but.

This dude i s handsome

[patriciacarrasco]

hes very hot!!

[veeseee128]

san fran is the most liberal and socialist city in america. if your poor you can still have a good quality of life in sanfrancisco, however the cost of living and high cost of housing is a problem they have not been able to make better,. massachussests is not far behind following the same pattern

[XxStelaxX33]

thumbs up if u have seen dha mayor in real! [Yes i have seen him] :P

[BakersfieldGamer4u]

@matt75hooper How am I an idiot, you don't even know me.

[matt75hooper]

@BakersfieldGamer4u  You are an idiot.

[matt75hooper]

You want to pay off the National Debt ? Put this fucker in a dunk tank and charge $5 bucks a throw. The line will be 3000 miles long.

[Cassak5111]

Is it just me or does this guy look like Will Arnett?

[prismacolor28]

The "reason it's working in S.F." is because Gavin has raised fees and penalties by 300%. Lesson learned: Intentionally omitting facts is the same thing as lying. "Businesses haven't run off..." Yeah, that's because your eco-idiot pals already spent the last five years running manufacturing out of CA. Face it, Face it; Gavin only talks when Dianne Feinstein moves the hand she has up the back of his empty suit.

[BakersfieldGamer4u]

You got my vote Gavin, hope he wins in 2010 as governor

[EnhancementSmoker]

Right on Newsom!